Thread: pinhole leaks in copper water pipes

Has anyone here run into pinhole leaks in copper water pipes? I have a coworker who has had 3 failures so far. The house is only ten years old. Several of his neighbors have had a similar experience. The builder's response was that the water recirculation pump (for hot water) was too powerful and downsized the pump.

I am doubtful this will prevent any future failures.

Their water comes from Zone 7 Water Agency in California if that makes any difference.

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Are these "pin holes" in the copper itself or the solder joints? Also, do you know if the copper tubing is from roll copper pipe or copper tubes? The copper pipe on a roll is thinner walled than tubes.

Well, here in Florida pinhole leaks in copper pipe are so bad no one uses it anymore. I don't know about CA plumping issues, or your propensity for pin holes to develop, but the problem is real.

Dom.

All the copper pipes I have inspected only had problems in the connection.

Best

Ron

The holes in copper can be from several reasons or a combination of them.
*Low cost import copper from our favorite country China. It has very thin walls.
*Mineral composition of the water.
*Circulation pumps.

The pumps actually push the water (with mineral deposits) through the pipes so hard that the dissolved minerals actually sandblast the pipe and wear the inside of the pipes to the point that they leak.

Originally Posted by Ron Bibler

All the copper pipes I have inspected only had problems in the connection.

Best

Ron

Generally thats where the problems occur. But in climates where there are freezes and thaws, the copper roll tubing, even when it is insulated has a greater risk of pinhole leaks over the copper pipe in 10" lengths. Again, its the wall diameter in this equation. The coiled or rolled copper tubing is cheaper because it is thinner walled. It is also more flexible because of that thinner wall and is why more plumbers use it. More flexible and longer lengths means less fittings. But the really good plumbers generally steer clear of coiled copper pipe.

I have sweated copper and never had a leak one. Knock on wood.

Originally Posted by Scott Patterson

*Low cost import copper from our favorite country China. It has very thin walls.

And we just thought they were trying to poison us with lead and defective drywall.

I did an inspection where a fairly new home had a copper pipe failure due to the hold down was not copper and rusted the pipe in the ceiling, lots of damage from the leak.

Originally Posted by mike huntzinger

I did an inspection where a fairly new home had a copper pipe failure due to the hold down was not copper and rusted the pipe in the ceiling, lots of damage from the leak.

Yup, common problem around here too. Plumbers know better.

I had one in the main line from the meter to my house. LA DWP water.

Probably the water.

As Dom pointed out *some parts of* Florida have water which eats the copper piping up from the inside out, *other parts of* Florida have good water which does not do that and where copper piping is still used.

I have recently come across pinholes leaks in my research for work and a friend, on well water. The Maryland Dept. of Housing conducted a study that was finished in Dec. 2004. http://www.wsscwater.com/copperpipe/...erPlumbing.pdf

There are several possible causes and any could be the reason for the corrosion. Higher than normal levels of chlorine and aluminum in the water have the most detrimental effect on the piping. Acid-based flux inside the pipe can also lead to pinholes. As much as I like to bash China, materials have not been the determining factor. Once the corrosion starts it can accelerate and spread. Bonding usually isn't the problem, as most inspections reveal that the bonding is per NEC where pinholes are present. There is a potential for ground leakage from appliances connected to copper pipe. Recirculator pumps can lead to corrosion, but because they keep the problem water moving through the pipes. Stagnant water sitting in pipes can also cause corrosion, depending on the levels of minerals in the water. Larger homes with fewer occupants seem to have a higher than normal occurrence of corrosion. As do homes or condos that have been vacant for an extended period of time. Some research has shown that if the system is thoroughly flushed after completion, a mineral layer will begin to form on the interior wall of the pipe and protect it from any impurities in the water.